Latest Crypto News | Bitcoin, Ethereum and Altcoin Updates

ViaBTC, a PoW mining pool, says it has launched collateral-pledged loans to help miners fund electricity and other operating costs during volatile cycles. Instead of selling mined coins at distressed prices, miners can pledge BTC, BCH, LTC and DOGE as collateral and borrow USDT for faster liquidity. The program is built around mining risk patterns. ViaBTC highlights multi-coin collateral converted into a unified USDT LTV, real-time LTV monitoring with Safe/Moderate/Risky tiers, and Auto-Pledge to add collateral automatically when margin-call levels are reached to reduce liquidation risk. It has no fixed maturity date, charges a fixed 9.9% APR calculated daily, sends margin-call alerts, and sets a minimum loan size of 50 USDT with no stated upper cap. For traders, the key takeaway is that these collateral-pledged loans may reduce forced sell pressure from miners in bear or choppy markets, potentially supporting sell-side liquidity. The real effect depends on how often collateral-pledged loans are used and whether liquidation rates change.

A prominent XRPL validator, “Vet” (@Vet_X0), says the next decisive shift for XRP is not just market speculation, but building a highly liquid, high-quality XRPL decentralized exchange (DEX) inside the protocol. Vet argues that once the native XRP Ledger DEX is “bootstrapped” with quality assets and deep liquidity, trading becomes self-sustaining—“it’s game over.” The article highlights why liquidity is the gating factor: deep order books reduce slippage, support larger trades, and attract market makers and institutional participation. Equally important is asset quality. The piece suggests onboarded assets such as stablecoins and tokenized real-world instruments could improve credibility and real-world utility. If this happens, the XRPL DEX could evolve from a feature into a central liquidity hub, enabling scalable financial use cases on-ledger. For traders, the core implication is increased XRP utility. Because XRP can act as a bridge asset for on-ledger conversions, a more active and liquid XRPL DEX could raise ongoing demand tied to transaction volume rather than only speculative flows. No specific trading metrics, adoption numbers, or protocol upgrades are provided. Still, the narrative aligns with prior market behavior where infrastructure-led catalysts (liquidity and market depth improvements) tend to drive optimism, tightening spreads and improving execution quality—often translating into bullish sentiment if followed by measurable on-chain activity.

Google researchers warn that the quantum risk to crypto is rising faster than earlier models. In a new blog post (via Seeking Alpha), they focus on Bitcoin’s cryptography assumptions, especially elliptic curve cryptography and the 256-bit elliptic curve discrete logarithm problem (ECDLP-256) that underpins wallet ownership and transaction signing. Google estimates that, with optimized Shor’s algorithm circuits, a quantum attack could become feasible with about 1,200–1,450 logical qubits and under 500,000 physical qubits—potentially measured in minutes on a sufficiently advanced system. That would materially reduce the resource gap versus prior estimates, while no immediate exploit is described. For traders, the quantum risk to crypto framing is likely to drive headline sentiment more than near-term fundamentals, keeping longer-horizon risk premiums elevated. Google points to a PQC (post-quantum cryptography) migration timeline around 2029, requiring broad coordination and protocol upgrades across decentralized networks. The firm says it’s working with partners including Coinbase, the Stanford Institute for Blockchain Research, and the Ethereum Foundation. Bottom line: quantum risk to crypto is not an attack today, but it strengthens the case for staying alert to timing and adoption of quantum-resistant cryptography.

Solana (SOL) is struggling to hold above the $100 level, with analysts warning of renewed downside if key supports fail. The bearish debate centers on a technical structure of lower highs after SOL peaked near $240 and weak follow-through near the $95–$100 resistance zone. A rising wedge is cited as a potential breakdown pattern, while repeated tests around the $75 support area are said to be weakening it. If a daily close falls below $75, traders may see SOL move toward the high-$60s, and a confirmed breakdown could extend pressure toward $50. Some analysts also highlight deeper dip-buying interest, pointing to a possible accumulation range around $30–$40. Other market watchers remain more conditional. One view notes buyers have defended SOL around the $80 level, with dips below $80 reversing quickly—suggesting liquidity absorption. However, fading bullish momentum still shows up in the form of lower highs. A move back above $85–$88 could improve sentiment, while sustained trading below $80 may push SOL toward $72 or lower. At the time of writing, SOL trades around $87.65 (up 2.38% daily but down 2.8% weekly), keeping traders focused on whether $75–$78 can hold or breaks. The immediate trigger is whether SOL can reclaim key resistance (near $90) or instead confirms a breakdown from the consolidation.

CryptoTicker’s Q1 2026 analysis says most crypto fell sharply year-to-date as a “risk-off” liquidity drain hit demand for volatile assets. Bitcoin (BTC) dropped about 23% and Ethereum (ETH) about 30% by late March. Solana (SOL) fell 36% and BNB (BNB) 32%, reinforcing a high-beta pattern where altcoins underperform in selloffs. The article links the crash to macro pressure: the US Fed signaled rates would stay “higher for longer” to fight sticky ~2.7% inflation, strengthening the USD and reducing institutional appetite for crypto. It also points to geopolitical risk, citing Middle East tensions involving Iran, alongside oil spikes (Brent above ~$118/bbl). Higher energy costs can pressure Bitcoin miners and trigger “miner capitulation” selling. Investors also rotated toward traditional hedges: gold posted roughly 8% gains. Outliers were Tron (TRX) and UNUS SED LEO (LEO). TRX is described as a “global settlement layer” for USDT; stablecoin transfer demand rose during the crash, supporting TRX via increased fee burn. LEO benefits from exchange token buy-backs and burns on Bitfinex, which the article frames as relatively defensive when trading volumes remain high. Finally, it notes Bitcoin ETF flows: Q1 saw sustained net outflows, suggesting institutions reduced risk exposure and possibly favored equities such as the S&P 500 and banking stocks instead. Key figures (YTD, end of March 2026): BTC -23%, ETH -30%, SOL -36%, BNB -32%, XRP -28%, DOGE -22%, TRX +10%, LEO +4.6%.

The latest jobs report is complicating expectations for Fed rate cuts. U.S. employment added 130,000 jobs, while the unemployment rate held at 4.3%. At the same time, Treasury yields rose sharply—up 48 bps to 4.41%—signaling less urgency for easing. Traders are recalibrating rate-cut probabilities for the June 2025 FOMC meeting. Rising Treasury yields and a strong labor market suggest Fed rate cuts may be unlikely soon, dampening enthusiasm for a June cut. Oil prices are also above $100 per barrel, and Middle East tensions add upside risk to inflation, further complicating any decision to loosen policy. In the prediction market described in the article, trading activity in the Fed Rate Decisions market appears very light, implying a wait-and-see posture. With YES shares priced low, a bet on Fed rate cuts would likely require a meaningful deterioration in economic indicators or a clearly dovish signal from Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Traders are expected to watch upcoming Fed speeches, Powell’s next testimony, any changes in FOMC minutes, and broader economic data. They will also look for shifts in the Treasury yield curve as potential signals for the next move in Fed rate cuts expectations.

Goldman Sachs has raised its US recession odds to 30% by 2026, citing Iranian tensions and oil shocks. The estimate is up from 25%, driven by elevated energy prices and a weakening labor market. The report points to Brent crude staying above $100 per barrel due to disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. Higher energy costs could pressure consumers, increase financial strain, and worsen employment conditions—key links to potential recession dynamics. Goldman’s 30% baseline aligns with other major forecasts: JPMorgan puts recession odds at 35%, while EY-Parthenon estimates 40% by 2026. The market implied by prediction trading also shows heightened attention to a late-2026 downturn, with the odds tied to the NBER Business Cycle Dating Committee’s eventual call. Traders appear to be waiting for clearer confirmation from macro data. The article highlights upcoming catalysts such as Fed communications and changes in US employment and GDP reporting (BLS and BEA). With trading volume described as low/paused, sentiment could shift quickly once fresh indicators arrive. For traders considering recession-linked bets, the payout structure referenced implies a leveraged return if the US enters a recession by end-2026. Overall, the central market narrative is that oil shock-driven inflation and labor deterioration are the main transmission channels being priced into US recession risk.

Democratic senators have urged President Trump to ban Chinese vehicle imports entering the US from Mexico or Canada, citing escalating US-China trade tensions. The request aligns with anti-China sentiment and existing tariffs on Chinese goods, while tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports are currently paused under USMCA. Senators warn the move could prompt EU retaliation, potentially through tariffs on US goods by September 30. They point to ongoing economic pressure efforts and recent remarks attributed to Ambassador Hoekstra, suggesting the administration may pursue broader trade restrictions. While current trading volumes in related markets appear light, the potential for a tariff escalation could still affect risk sentiment and cross-border trade expectations. Traders should monitor any executive orders or public statements from Trump, as well as updates from the USTR, the EU Commission, and trade advisors, since these could act as catalysts and move related market pricing quickly. Key focus: a ban on Chinese vehicle imports and the broader tariff chain reaction risk affecting EU-US trade timing.

Binance Futures announced it will launch two USDⓈ-M stock perpetual contracts on April 7: MUUSDT and SNDKUSDT. MUUSDT tracks Micron Technology (MU) and SNDKUSDT tracks Sandisk/SanDisk (SNDK). Both contracts use USDT as the settlement asset and support up to 10x leverage with 24/7 trading. For traders, this expands Binance’s equity-derivative lineup and increases access to large-cap tech/semiconductor exposure via USDT-margined perpetuals. Because the products reference traditional stocks (not crypto spot), the immediate impact on core crypto prices is likely limited, but it may shift some risk appetite and cross-asset hedging flows within Binance Futures. Key terms to monitor include the listing date (Apr 7), contract tickers (MUUSDT, SNDKUSDT), and maximum leverage (10x).

CryptoGames is presented as a crypto-first casino with provably fair outcomes and low house edge. The operator is MuchGaming B.V., licensed in Curaçao (License No. OGL/2024/1336/1047). The platform supports multiple coins for deposits and play, including BTC, ETH, DOGE, USDT, SOL, BNB, XRP, LTC and others, and it avoids fiat rails (no bank accounts or credit cards). CryptoGames highlights a “provably fair” system where outcomes can be verified with cryptographic methods, plus low house edges (Dice as low as ~1%, Roulette 2.7%, Blackjack 1.25%). It also claims 0% house edge daily lottery draws, plus Keno/Minesweeper and progressive jackpots linked to Dice and Roulette. Withdrawals are described as fast to crypto wallets, and the platform collects less sensitive personal data. Key drawbacks noted: users from the United States are prohibited, game variety is smaller than global giants, and crypto winnings can fluctuate with market volatility. CryptoGames is positioned as a transparent, utility-driven alternative for crypto traders who prefer verifiable mechanics over aggressive promotions.

A sponsored Crypto Daily press release promotes AccuQuant’s “AI automated long-short trading” for Bitcoin (BTC), claiming the system can monitor crypto markets 24/7, execute buy/sell decisions automatically, and target high-frequency capture of intraday volatility. The article says users reported about $5,700 in daily returns during active market phases, based on an AccuQuant strategy that allegedly trades small moves consistently. It also explains “AI automated trading” as algorithm-driven, data-model-based automation that replaces manual chart analysis and aims to reduce emotional decision-making. A “How to start” section lists a $20 welcome bonus on registration, strategy selection, and profit withdrawals. The piece provides example strategy benefit tiers (e.g., beginner to elite plans) and a case-study narrative claiming multiple trades per day during a volatile BTC session to reach the stated cumulative profit. AccuQuant’s claimed advantages include no need to monitor the market, simple user onboarding, referral rewards, transparent fees (no hidden costs stated), and multi-coin deposits/withdrawals (BTC, ETH, DOGE, SOL, XRP, USDC/USDT, and others). For crypto traders, the main takeaway is not a new market catalyst but a retail-focused promotional push for AI automated long-short trading tied to BTC volatility. Any impact on market stability is likely indirect and limited to sentiment around automated strategies rather than fundamentals.

U.Today reports that XRP Ledger payment volume fell about 70% within 24 hours, signalling a sharp slowdown in transaction demand. This drop in XRP Ledger activity is framed as a negative utility/throughput indicator and weakens bullish expectations for XRP. On price action, XRP is still described as trading in a broader downtrend around $1.30. The article cites failed attempts to form a short-term ascending structure, with moving averages acting as dynamic resistance and sellers retaining control. Key resistance is identified near $1.38–$1.40, followed by a larger barrier around $1.60. Support is repeatedly tested in the $1.25–$1.30 zone. If that floor fails, the piece expects a deeper move into lower demand areas. Momentum signals are said to offer no clear reversal: volume does not suggest accumulation, and RSI remains weak without bullish divergence. Overall, the setup implies passive drifting lower and suggests traders should temper expectations for a near-term rebound unless XRP Ledger usage and on-chain activity recover.

Arkham Intelligence released new Ethereum (ETH) holder rankings based on on-chain labeling and wallet/entity ownership. The biggest ETH stash is held in the ETH2 Beacon Deposit Contract, with 82M+ ETH worth about $169B—primarily collective staking from thousands of validators, not a single trader. In the individual category, Rain Lohmus tops the list with ~250,000 ETH (about $530M), but he reportedly lost access to the private keys, making the funds effectively inaccessible. Vitalik Buterin is second with ~224,000 ETH (about $480M), meaning the largest accessible individual ETH holder is Buterin. On the corporate side, Arkham says Bitmine is the largest ETH corporate holder with nearly 4.7M ETH (~$10B), staking a majority of its reserves through its validator network. BlackRock follows with 3M+ ETH, tied to its iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) strategy. For traders, the key takeaway is that Ethereum’s visible supply is heavily locked in staking infrastructure, while institutional and “ETFs-to-holders” flows continue to shape ownership concentration.

Shiba Inu（SHIB）lead ambassador Shytoshi Kusama ended a five-week silence on X with a post on April 2, hinting that an update is coming soon (“Let’s talk soon”). Kusama responded to a user speculating about SHIB price, stating: “This has nothing to do with the price of Shib.” He instead referenced a “global appointed time,” “weird vibes,” and suggested followers should pay attention to broader signals rather than trade levels. U.Today also notes SHIB was up 4.21% in the last 24 hours to about $0.000006 at the time of writing, amid broader market recovery. On the derivatives side, SHIB open interest rose 7.02% to about $54.46 million, while traders awaited whether SHIB could reclaim above the 50-day moving average near $0.00000595. For crypto traders, the key takeaway is that Kusama’s “SHIB update” tease may drive short-term SHIB sentiment and social-driven volatility, even as he explicitly frames it as not directly tied to SHIB price. Until more concrete details arrive, reaction is likely to remain narrative-driven rather than fundamentals-confirming.

X is considering an “auto-lock crypto mentions” flow that restricts first-time accounts when they mention cryptocurrency. X product lead Nikita Bier said the goal is to reduce phishing-driven account takeovers by locking accounts and forcing verification at the moment scammers typically post token bait. The move follows the JONATHAN tortoise hoax. A fake account impersonated “veterinarian Joe Hollins” and spread a false death claim about a famed 193-year-old tortoise. Some media initially amplified the story, and the JONATHAN token reportedly spiked by more than 6,000% before quickly retracing (around $0.00007998 at the time of reporting). Later, real-world confirmation surfaced: Saint Helena governor Nigel Phillips and the real Joe Hollins verified the tortoise was alive. Traders should note that an “auto-lock crypto mentions” friction layer could make memecoin pump-and-dump cycles driven by social hoaxes harder to execute on X, but the article suggests any impact on BTC trading would likely be limited because BTC was only referenced for context.

A new milestone was recorded on the XRP Ledger: the largest single RLUSD mint to date. The transaction minted 92.3 million RLUSD in one shot from the RLUSD Treasury and delivered it to another account. On-chain data cited by validator Vet (@Vet_X0) shows the transfer completed successfully with a very small XRP fee, highlighting efficient network usage for large value moves. Vet later said Gemini was the minter. The report also notes Gemini recently burned 128 million RLUSD, and then minted a large amount shortly after—often interpreted as liquidity movement between systems/exchanges or liquidity pools rather than simple one-off issuance. Why traders may care: RLUSD is issued on the XRP Ledger, and every RLUSD transfer requires XRP for fees. If RLUSD supply and activity rise, overall XRP Ledger transaction volume can increase, potentially improving XRP’s on-chain utility and demand. In crypto market structure, stablecoins are used for settlement and liquidity, so broader RLUSD adoption could translate into more financial flows through XRP’s network. Note: The article is informational and not financial advice.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse says the XRP Ledger (XRPL) has a major 2026 growth path as Ripple Treasury (formerly G Treasury) expands adoption of digital assets. Garlinghouse highlighted that Ripple Treasury orchestrated $13 trillion in payments last year, and “zero percent” used stablecoins or crypto—framing the rollout as a large on-chain opportunity. Ripple Treasury was acquired for about $1 billion in October 2025 to serve large enterprises, including Fortune 500 firms, with regulated liquidity management on the XRP Ledger. Key update: Ripple introduced Digital Asset Accounts and Unified Treasury inside Ripple Treasury, including native digital-asset features. The article notes these capabilities are already leaning on Ripple USD (RLUSD) and XRP. Trading relevance for XRP: If institutional payments route through the XRP Ledger, each dollar of processed volume can translate into increased on-chain transactions. The XRPL reportedly saw strong transaction growth in Q1 2026 driven by payments, with further growth expected. Market angle: Higher expected institutional demand for XRP could strengthen bullish sentiment in 2026. RLUSD, with a stated market cap of about $1.4B at press time, may also see market-cap expansion as XRP Ledger use cases grow through Ripple Treasury. Overall, the narrative ties enterprise treasury infrastructure directly to XRPL activity and potential XRP demand.

The EU is weighing a Commission proposal to transfer ESMA CASP supervision of major crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) from national regulators to ESMA. Supporters argue that one supervisor can make MiCA rules more consistent across borders and reduce regulatory arbitrage driven by different authorization practices. France, Austria, and Italy back the move, citing a September 2025 joint report that says centralized oversight would improve cross-border licensing coherence and investor protection. ESMA officials also argue efficiency and consistency are better for large, interconnected firms. Malta’s MFSA opposes the timing. It says MiCA’s full implementation has only just started and impacts should be assessed first. Malta also points to an ESMA peer-review process involving a Malta CASP authorization (reported as OKX), saying Malta met standards but the review should be more thorough. The MFSA further warns that centralized ESMA CASP supervision could create structural fragmentation across ESMA, national authorities, and AMLA, affecting accountability—especially under operational-risk rules such as DORA. OKX’s Europe CEO says there is no evidence the current system is failing and frames centralization as more political than performance-driven, endorsing stronger peer reviews instead. Next steps: EU members are expected to vote in coming months. For traders, the key risk is compliance-driven changes to licensing certainty and cross-border operating costs for large exchanges and some crypto-derivatives activity. ESMA CASP supervision remains the pivotal variable for MiCA implementation and market access.

Bitcoin (BTC) slid from around $72,000 and briefly tested monthly lows near $65,600 after Donald Trump reiterated harsher threats toward Iran and signaled tougher pressure around the Strait of Hormuz. Resistance near $68,000 rejected breakouts, while support around $66,000 held as BTC traded roughly $67,000 at publication. Crude oil pushed above $110/bbl (highest since Mar 9), reinforcing risk-off conditions and making macro-driven volatility harder to fade. Crypto market cap was about $2.38T, with BTC dominance near 56%; ETH rose (+3.6%) while XRP slipped (-1.2%). On the flow side, CryptoQuant data highlighted worsening positioning: Bitcoin whales (1,000–10,000 BTC wallets) flipped from net buying to selling, 1-year holdings distributed, and apparent demand contracted sharply despite ETF/Strategy-related inflows. A “supply in loss” spike was also flagged—often seen late in corrections. For traders, the key is whether the oil-linked risk premium keeps rising. That backdrop can sustain downside pressure on Bitcoin. Any credible de-escalation could trigger short-covering and momentum longs, but recent failure near $68,000 suggests caution on fresh breakouts.

SpaceX is reported to have filed a confidential IPO application with the US SEC, targeting up to $75 billion and an estimated ~$2 trillion valuation, with a possible listing as early as June. The scale could rival the biggest US tech listings and push SpaceX into the “megacap” conversation. For traders watching crypto narratives, the latest detail is SpaceX’s Bitcoin exposure. SpaceX reportedly holds 8,285 BTC (about ~$569.5M), which is under 0.03% of a ~$2T valuation. That means the SpaceX IPO is unlikely to function as a pure “Bitcoin proxy,” but it will still keep Bitcoin-related balance-sheet messaging in the mainstream. Demand drivers appear to be Starlink broadband plus launch and defense/communications, not BTC. Reports also suggest retail allocations could be meaningful (up to ~30%) and lock-up terms may be shorter than typical, which could amplify IPO hype. Crypto market implication: a high-profile SpaceX IPO can increase institutional and mainstream visibility for Bitcoin-adjacent holdings, but BTC’s direct price sensitivity is likely limited. Monitor IPO-related sentiment, allocation and lock-up specifics, and broader risk appetite toward tech/defense megacaps.

Iranian security official denied reports of US troops landing in Ilam province. The denial slightly reduced the odds of “US forces enter Iran” for April 30: the YES price moved to 66% from 55% the prior day, after a roughly 6-point drop in the last 24 hours. Despite the denial, traders kept betting—April 30 remained active with about $2.3M USDC traded daily. Moving the price required about $185K, suggesting institutional participation. Prediction markets also showed higher longer-dated escalation expectations. The December 31 “US forces enter Iran” contract rose to 74.5% YES, implying traders expect a longer runway for any escalation. The March 31 contract was near 0.1% YES. The market focus is on a short window: the April 30 entry bet pays if credible reports confirm US troop landings or confirmed operations within 28 days. Traders are watching statements from US Defense leadership and Pentagon briefings, since any confirmation—or changes in operational language—could quickly reprice these contracts. Key “US forces enter Iran” odds tracked: March 31 ~0.1% YES, April 30 ~65.5–66% YES, December 31 ~74.5% YES.

Solana (SOL) bulls defended the $70 support level after SOL stabilized near $80. The move comes as price slid nearly 9% from Wednesday’s ~$85.1 high to ~$77.6 low, following a major $285m exploit on Drift Protocol, a Solana-native trading venue. Data cited from DeFiLlama shows Solana TVL fell by nearly $1bn since the incident. Broader risk sentiment also pressured Solana. Escalating Middle East tensions, including Iranian statements about targeting 18 U.S. military assets and U.S. strikes on regional logistics and supply infrastructure, raised fears of prolonged regional disruption. Oil prices rose above $110, adding inflation and supply-chain stress that tends to push investors away from risk assets. Technically, Solana is near a multi-month falling wedge on the daily chart. A confirmed falling wedge breakout is often associated with a bullish reversal, with a potential upside objective around $111 (linked to the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement). However, momentum indicators still warn traders: Chaikin Money Flow is negative (-0.05), and Aroon Down remains high (92.86%) versus Aroon Up (35.71%), suggesting bears still control trend strength. For traders, Solana faces a key decision zone: defend the $70 floor for a reversal attempt, or lose support and extend the downside if momentum deterioration persists.

Microsoft said it plans to invest $10 billion in Japan over the next four years to expand AI infrastructure, strengthen cyber defense, and train talent. The programme targets AI data centres and supporting infrastructure, alongside deeper cybersecurity cooperation with government agencies. Microsoft also aims to train one million engineers. The initiative follows a prior $2.9 billion Japan commitment announced in 2024. Microsoft said it will work with SoftBank Group and Sakura Internet to scale domestic digital infrastructure, with additional partners including NTT and NEC. In Tokyo, Microsoft President Brad Smith met Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and framed the move as a response to Japan’s growing need for cloud and AI services. The company noted that data-centre expansion in Japan faces land constraints and higher electricity costs, while broader Asia-Pacific build-outs have raised environmental concerns tied to power usage and water requirements. In parallel, Microsoft’s AI division launched three new foundational multimodal models that can generate text, voice, and images. These models are available via Microsoft Foundry and, in some cases, the MAI Playground testing environment. Microsoft positioned pricing as a competitive advantage versus comparable Google and OpenAI offerings, while maintaining its dual-track strategy: building internal systems and continuing its long-standing partnership with OpenAI. For crypto traders, this is mainly a macro/tech-sector signal: continued AI capex can support risk-on sentiment for equities and large-cap tech, but it does not directly change blockchain fundamentals or liquidity—so effects are likely indirect and modest.

CoinDesk 20 is up 0.7% to 1,909.43 since Thursday 4 p.m. ET, with 19 of 20 constituents higher. NEAR leads the move (+5.8%), followed by AVAX (+3.6%). Bitcoin (BTC) is essentially flat (~0.0%), alongside XLM at ~0.0%. This keeps the broader signal from looking like strong, all-market demand in majors. For CoinDesk 20 traders, the mix suggests an altcoin rotation rather than broad-based strength. That can support near-term continuation trades in higher-beta names, but the flat BTC reading is a key risk check—if majors fail to join, gains may remain selective.

Avalanche’s AVAX price rose about 3% on April 3, 2026, outperforming a broader market that gained less than 1% and Bitcoin’s ~0.63% move. The rally is attributed to capital rotating away from BTC as Bitcoin dominance eases to 58.03%. Traders are also watching higher-risk “altcoin season” signals: the CMC Altcoin Season Index rose 10.26% in 24 hours, though AVAX trading volume fell 24.86%, suggesting weaker conviction and rotation-driven pricing rather than strong spot demand. On-chain catalysts include Retro9000 C-Chain Round 2, which began April 1 and runs through April 30. The Avalanche Foundation ties builder rewards to AVAX burned via transaction fees, with new multipliers (10x for Build Games graduates, 5x for first-time C-Chain deployers) and up to $3,000 referral bonuses per funded project. Activity also noted C-Chain reaching ~2.5M daily transactions tied to RWA adoption. Whale flow is another bullish but not definitive input. Influencer Nazoku cited a large wallet withdrawing 141,500 AVAX (~$1.24M) from Coinbase, then transferring 521,000 AVAX (~$4.56M) to a related wallet—typically read as accumulation. Technical levels cited: if AVAX holds $8.50, it could target $9.20–$9.50 resistance. A break below $8.30 risks a move toward $7.80. Traders should monitor BTC dominance and volume for confirmation, while keeping risk controls given the cautious market backdrop (Fear & Greed index at 28).

With US markets closed for a holiday, crypto markets are seeing thinner trading volumes, leaving price action more vulnerable to sentiment shifts. The article notes that Trump’s earlier remarks already dampened optimism, and the reduced liquidity may amplify any bearish moves. On the macro side, fresh US employment data came in stronger than expected: unemployment continues to fall and non-farm payrolls beat forecasts. Investors are now focused on the next inflation release due April 10, which could further worsen the near-term outlook for crypto if inflation concerns reappear. Liquidity risk is central to the setup. The piece argues that when trading volumes are shallow, even modest selling pressure can produce outsized losses across digital assets. It also highlights the market’s historical tendency to surprise—especially when expectations become too one-sided. Crypto industry developments in the past 24 hours include: Coinbase receiving conditional approval for a US national trust charter; IMF warning that tokenization could bring new risks; Kentucky lawmakers removing anti-self-custody language; Telegram Wallet launching leveraged trading up to 50x across 50+ markets; Grayscale filing an S-1 amendment for a Bittensor (TAO) trust; and additional tech/geo developments (including Microsoft’s AI data center plans in Japan and reports of Iranian activity targeting US tech data centers). Traders should monitor how crypto markets react to the April 10 inflation catalyst and whether low-volume conditions persist, as that combination typically increases volatility.

Cryptoquant data shows Bitmine has increased Ethereum staking by adding 167,578 ETH over the past two weeks. After the latest deposit, Bitmine’s staked ETH balance is about 300,000 ETH, indicating renewed commitment despite weak ETH price action. The charts suggest Bitmine accelerated its staking pace to rebuild its position after a large unstake earlier in the year. Ethereum staking locks ETH to help secure the network and typically earns rewards, often seen as a sign of conviction. Meanwhile, Ethereum has shown a short-term rebound. The article notes ETH is up about 1.47% over 24 hours, trading around $2,062 at the time of writing. For traders, Bitmine’s Ethereum staking build-up can be viewed as incremental bullish demand on-chain, while the broader ETH price remains the key trigger for follow-through. Bitmine’s activity may also influence sentiment around staking flows if other large holders mirror the move.

Bitcoin miner Soluna Holdings is scaling beyond mining by investing $53M in a West Texas Biscoe wind farm under “Project Dorothy.” The goal is to increase renewable power supply for green data centers and support vertical integration. Soluna expects the wind asset to translate into roughly $20M–$24.4M of annual revenue. Since last September, Soluna has been averaging about 9 BTC per month, and it also provides hosting services to other miners. The article frames Soluna’s AI pivot as a response to deteriorating Bitcoin miner economics. After the 2024 halving, block rewards dropped to 3.125 BTC, and the next 2028 halving is projected to cut rewards further to 1.5625 BTC. With limited transaction fee growth, miner revenue is at risk of continued shrinkage. As of early Q2 2026, total daily miner revenue is cited at $32M, about 50% below the H2 2025 high near $60M. Although mid-March saw some relief as BTC tested ranges around $60K–$75K, “miner distress” (capitulation—shutting rigs and selling reserves to cover costs) is flagged again in early April when BTC struggled to hold above $65K. The piece highlights Hash Ribbon as a gauge for capitulation risk and notes that deeper distress could trigger additional miner selling, potentially delaying BTC recovery. Overall, Soluna’s Project Dorothy and AI data center expansion are positioned as a diversification play, while broader market instability still hinges on BTC price support and ongoing miner cost pressure.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported U.S. employment gains of 178,000 in March, well above the 60,000 forecast. The prior month’s 133,000 job loss was also revised lower. The unemployment rate fell to 4.3% from 4.4%, beating expectations. Crypto traders saw muted price action. Bitcoin (BTC) held around $67,000 before and after the release, while Nasdaq 100 futures slipped about 0.2%. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose 4 bps to 4.36%, a typical headwind for risk appetite. The article also tied the broader rate outlook to oil-driven inflation risk and Fed messaging. Powell indicated temporary oil spikes may increase short-term pressure but not justify an immediate rush to hike. With stronger labor data back in focus, traders are reassessing the timing of Fed policy rather than reacting with immediate BTC volatility.